I know a lot of home baristas are weighing the differences between the Delonghi la Specialista vs Breville Barista Touch, so here’s my take. I leaned towards the Breville Barista Touch, and let me tell you why.
The DeLonghi La Specialista has two boilers with thermoblock rapid heating technology and an impressive 12-inch cup clearance, and its advantages stop here.
The Breville Barista Touch comes out as the overall winner since it offers up to 30 grinding settings, a thermoJet fast-heating system, and an awesome steam wand. Oh, by the way, it allows you to save up to eight personalized recipes.
Delonghi La Specialista Vs Breville Barista Touch: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Delonghi La Specialista Vs Breville Barista Touch: Differences
The Barista Touch defeated the La Specialista with a score of 4-1. Let’s jump right into the detailed comparison between these two machines.
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
Built-in Grinder
If an espresso machine does not have a built-in grinder, you will need to purchase it separately. Fortunately, that is not the case for the La Specialista and Barista Touch.
Both have a stainless steel conical burr grinder with multiple levels. It’s not an exaggeration to say that these grinders are unbelievably quiet. You can run them all day long, whether you’re working from home or entertaining guests, and not worry about the noise being a disturbance.
The la Specialista only has 8 grind settings, whereas the Barista Touch offers up to 30 settings, giving you a much broader spectrum to experiment with. It’s important to note that adjustments to the grind size must be made while the grinder is running to prevent beans from getting stuck and ensure a smoother, more consistent grind adjustment.
Dosing & Tamping
The La Specialista comes equipped with a 51mm portafilter, while the Barista Touch boasts a slightly larger 54mm portafilter. Now, you might hear some espresso purists argue that 58mm is the gold standard for portafilters. But we don’t dive into those turbulent waters right here. They are solidly constructed and feel like they could survive an apocalypse!
Automatic tamping is another trait that separates the La Specialista from the Barista Touch. Now, many home baristas, myself included, often prefer the hands-on approach of manual tamping. But for those mornings when you’re still half asleep and can barely remember your own name, let alone how to perfectly tamp the coffee grounds, the automatic tamper is a lifesaver.
The Barista Touch includes a not-too-bad stainless steel tamper that can be magnetically attached to the body of the machine. This feature helps maintain an organized workspace and guarantees the tamper is always within easy reach when you need it.
The La Specialista uses single-wall baskets, while you will see both single- and dual-wall filter baskets with the Barista Touch. And I’d tell you, terminology like “single wall” or “dual wall” matters.
The single-wall basket is for those who like to have full control over their espresso destiny. More experienced baristas who enjoy adjusting the grind size and tamping pressure to get the ideal shot typically use it. His one requires more work, but oh, the satisfaction!
The dual-wall basket, on the other hand, is more forgiving and great for beginners or those days when you just can’t deal with the nuances of a perfect grind. They help regulate the pressure during extraction, ensuring a decent shot even if your grind or tamp isn’t spot-on. And that is why it is recommended for pre-ground coffee.
Heating System
Speaking of the heating systems, each has its own secret weapon. The DeLonghi La Specialista has two thermoblocks, while the Barista Touch features a single thermojet system. Let’s talk about each one a little bit!
The DeLonghi La Specialista has twin thermoblocks, meaning you can steam milk and pull an espresso shot simultaneously with no waiting around – impressive and efficient.
The Barista Touch only has one ThermoJet boiler. It does a fantastic job, but it can’t multitask like the La Specialista. If you start with the steam wand, you’ll have to steam your milk and then give the wand a quick purge before you can switch to brewing a shot. But don’t worry, this isn’t a “make a sandwich while you wait” kind of delay. The ThermoJet is speedy, only adding a few extra seconds to the process.
Still, I did notice a small quirk with the ThermoJet system: it didn’t heat up the group head. Well, it eventually did all, but just after I’ve been using the machine for a while. So I found myself initially using the hot water function to preheat the portafilter and flush the group head to get it up to the ideal temperature.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Delonghi La Specialista
Dimensions & User Interface
| Delonghi La Specialista | Breville Barista Touch | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 13.5 x 16 inches | 16 x 12.5 x 12.7 inches |
| Weight | 26 lbs | 26.8 lbs |
These machines are compact enough to fit neatly on most countertops, but when speaking of lifting them? Well, I think you might want to consider it part of your workout or yoga routine.
The Barista Touch steps into the modern age with its touch user interface, which I find sleek and quite intuitive. It’s like having a little espresso-smartphone hybrid on your countertop. It’s user-friendly and responsive, and navigating through settings feels like a breeze. This touchscreen display, in my opinion, is definitely one of the major selling points of the Barista Touch.
On the other side, the La Specialista maintains a more traditional approach with its button-and-knob-operated control panel. It’s reminiscent of classic espresso machines and has a certain charm to it. There’s something satisfying about turning a knob or pushing a button – it’s a tactile experience that many coffee enthusiasts really enjoy.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Delonghi La Specialista | Breville Barista Touch | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 12 inches | 4 inches |
The space below the Barista Touch’s portafilter spouts is somewhat limited, so fitting larger insulated mugs or travel cups can be a bit of a squeeze. But don’t worry, there’s a hack! You can simply remove the drip tray to open up more space, allowing you to fit in those bigger mugs.
On the flip side, the La Specialista boasts an impressive 12-inch cup clearance. You can fit practically any type of cup under there, from your petite espresso cups to your hefty travel mugs. Well, there is a liftable plate to raise the espresso cups, resulting in less disturbance to that beautiful, creamy layer on top.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Delonghi La Specialista | Breville Barista Touch | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2 liter | 2 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.25 kilogram | 0.23 kilogram |
Both the Barista Touch and the La Specialista come with generously sized water tanks, a feature that’s a big plus in my book. It means fewer trips to the sink for refills, allowing you to focus more on your coffee crafting. These tanks are located at the back of the machines, but you can lift them straight out from the top with ease, or you can even fill them right on the spot.
Both also have an airtight lid to keep the beans fresh and maintain the overall hygiene of the machine. This small detail can make a big difference in the day-to-day use.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
The Barista Touch uses an auto-frothing wand. As someone who prides themselves on their milk texturing skills, I was initially skeptical. I mean, come on, an automatic wand competing with my expert wrist-twirling technique? Stop joking!
But, to my surprise and slight ego bruising, the Barista Touch’s wand is impressive. It could whip up milk froth that was, dare I say, sublime. It was hard to admit at first, but this machine could indeed match and sometimes even outdo my manual efforts.
The Barista Touch even allows for control over both the froth level and the milk temperature. There’s a sensor on the drip tray that gauges the temperature of your milk and stops it automatically, ensuring your milk is heated to your exact preference.
As for the La Specialista, it makes your job quite easy with an upgraded Panarello steam wand. You just place the wand into your milk jug, turn the steaming knob, and voilà – it gets to work. There’s no need to be a maestro of milk, understand the intricate dance of creating the perfect vortex, or know the precise moment to plunge the wand deeper into the jug.
The La Specialista offers a clever little twist – literally – compared to other machines with older Panarello wands. Just turn the ring on the wand to either “flat” or “foam,” and you can select your froth style based on the drink you’re crafting.
In my testing, I found that the La Specialista did a commendable job at creating a bubbly froth, which is perfect for cappuccinos. Still, achieving that velvety microfoam ideal for latte art wasn’t really its strong suit.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
| Delonghi La Specialista | Breville Barista Touch |
|---|---|
| Espresso Coffee Americano Hot Water | Espresso Latte Flat White Cappuccino Americano Hot Chocolate Tea Milk |
Their lists of coffee specialties both have a hot water option, perfect for those moments when you want to enjoy something other than espresso. Maybe you’re in the mood for a cup of tea or even hot chocolate. With this feature, you don’t need a separate kettle or water heater.
Both also allow you to fine-tune coffee strength as well as the volume and temperature of every single shot. Whether you prefer a strong, bold shot to kickstart your morning or a milder, gentler cup for a late afternoon pick-me-up, these machines cater to your preferences. You can choose between a single shot and a double shot as well. What sets the Barista Touch apart is that it allows you to preset both the texture and temperature of the milk foam via the touch screen.
Other Features
Winner: Breville Barista Touch
User PROFILE
Instead of the typical user profiles you might find on other machines, the Barista Touch allows you to save up to eight custom drink recipes. You can adjust and fine-tune every aspect of your espresso drinks, from the amount of froth on your cappuccino to the exact brew temperature you prefer for your morning cup, then save them under the names of your choice. You could have a “Morning Joe” recipe, a “Midday Pick-Me-Up,” or even a “Weekend Treat,” for example.
